UWELU – Uneasy calm now pervades Uwelu Community following the murder of the community’s new youth leader and two of his associates .
Comrade Alegbe was shot dead together with two of his boys recently while forcibly collecting market dues from traders in the area.
The murder of Comrade Alegbe who is also believed to be a leading member of the dreaded cult group, the Neo Black Movement otherwise known as Aiye Confraternity, was seen as another bloody chapter in the ongoing cult war raging in parts of Benin City
However, there are also indications that the killing of the trio may not be unconnected with the leadership tussle in Uwelu Community as the late Comrade Aleghe was alleged to have shot himself to office through the power of the gun last December.
The killing created panic among residents in the area as the police were alleged to have made indiscrimate arrrest of innocent persons without proper investigations into the murder of Comrade Alegbe and two of his boys.
There is also fear among the people of Uwelu Community of possible reprisal attacks and killings by cult members.
Three youths in the Community, ThankGod Ufumwen, Austin Okoro and Eguabor Endurance were said to have narrowly escaped death a few days ago after their homes were allegedly invaded by gunmen.
They are members of the previous community executive overthrown by the late Comrade Alegbe and his gang and are now believed to be possible targets for elimination.
Following the invasion of their homes the three former Community youth leaders and several others are said to have gone into hiding for fear of their lives.
A resident in the area who spoke to our reporter on condition of anonymity, accused the police of harassment and indiscrimate arrrest of youths in the area.
” Our people are living in fear of the police and cultists. We hear gunshots in the community almost daily. We don’t know whether it’s the police or Cultists that are shooting” , our sources said.
“Our youngmen are hunted by both the police and cultists”, he added.
